Republic of the Philippines

University of Rizal System

Morong, Rizal
College of Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department

INSULATION COORDINATION
USING SURGE PROTECTIVE
DEVICES
JAN MICHAEL B. CASTANEDA

5-EE

SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES

Insulation coordination is the evaluation and proper selection of rated insulation
or standard insulation level of a certain equipment in relation to operating voltages,
over-voltage and in accordance to the service environment and characteristics of the
preventing and protective devices.
At some point in time, a voltage surge may happen. It is the sudden rise of
excessive voltage that damages equipment of an installation. This is why low voltage
insulation coordination is important. It somehow ensures safety of people, protects
equipment and ensures continuity of the supply.
Surge protective devices are the most commonly used and efficient type of
overvoltage protection.
There are two types of transient voltage surges. The combination waves and the
ring wave. The combination waves are the ones that could be expected from lightning
while a ring wave is an oscillatory surge with relatively high voltage levels at relatively
high frequency, but with limited energy content.
There are three types of surge protective devices. The type 1 which protects
installations against direct lightning strokes. The type 2 which is the main protection
system for all low voltage electrical installations. And the type 3 which has a low
discharge capacity that’s why these are installed as supplement to type 2 SPDs.

DIFFERENCE OF SPC FROM LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

The difference between lightning protection system and SPD I that lightning
protection system protects a structure from direct lightning strikes while SPS protects
electrical equipment from transient voltage surges. Lightning is a natural discharge of
electrical current. Surges can be caused by lightning but according to the internet, 65%
of transients are generated internally by the switching of loads. Lightning protection
system components are always in place and ready to function, while SPDs monitor
internal system voltages and spring into action if a transient voltage occurs on the
circuit.